Stop Lying To Yourself

Have you ever caught yourself dwelling on tiny mistakes you made ages ago? It’s so easy to slip into that habit, especially if you’re dyslexic or just wired to overthink. In this podcast episode, I share why I used to do this all the time and how I've started doing it far less.

We’ll explore why we often beat ourselves up over small stuff and what that does to our mindset. I talk about the mental traps we fall into and show a simple way to break free. If you’ve been worn out by your own self-criticism, this episode will give you some relief and remind you that you’re far from alone.

Why We Beat Ourselves Up

It’s no secret that dyslexic minds work differently. We’re creative problem-solvers, but we can also trip ourselves up by replaying nagging mistakes. Perhaps you forgot a friend’s birthday or messed up at work. Suddenly, you’re fighting a storm in your head.

This overthinking often comes from the fear that each slip-up might signal something’s wrong with us. We assume the mistake defines our ability to do better in the future. If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath—you’re not the only one who’s been there.

"I felt haunted by every small error I made, as if each one proved I wasn't good enough."

Breaking that chain of thought starts when you realise your worth doesn’t rest on one or two blunders. We can learn to forgive ourselves, see the humour in it, and move on with fresh clarity.

How It Impacts Our Confidence

When we sink into self-blame, we chip away at our confidence. Our mind starts telling us we’re always messing up. It doesn’t help that dyslexia can magnify small slip-ups, like mixing dates in our calendar. Over time, that negative commentary builds into a sour soundtrack.

If you feel like your confidence has taken a hit, here are a few ways it could be showing up:

• You keep double-checking trivial details, worrying you’ll slip again.
• You hesitate to speak up at work or among friends.
• You find yourself avoiding new experiences you’re curious about.

These are all red flags that your own self-talk has turned toxic. Once you see them, you can start shifting your mindset. When we stop letting old slip-ups define us, we quickly find energy to take on new challenges.

Finding Freedom from Guilt

I used to believe I had to prove myself at every turn. If I forgot an appointment or got a number wrong, I’d replay it in my head all day. This would leave me stressed and too drained to think creatively. Sound familiar?

The biggest shift came when I realised that beating myself up wasn’t helping me remember things better. It was actually wasting energy. I talk about practical ways you can give yourself a break in this episode, including:

1. Recognising the mistake as a single event, not a permanent label.
2. Telling a friend or family member about it to hear an outside perspective.
3. Using humour to lighten the weight of the slip-up.

It may take time to let go of the guilt completely, but every little step makes a difference. Once you practise this enough, you’ll see how little those mistakes matter in the long run.

The Power of Self-Kindness

Giving yourself grace is crucial if you want to remain engaged and happy. Treating yourself kindly doesn’t mean burying mistakes under the rug. It means acknowledging them, learning from them, then letting them go.

Think of your mind as a garden. Each time you choose not to agonise over a slip, you’re pulling out a weed. In its place, you plant a seed of self-acceptance. That simple swap can do wonders for your confidence and creativity.

Remember, you don’t have to be perfect every minute. If you’re listening to this podcast (player is at the top of the page), you’ll hear me talk about ways to gently remind yourself that you’re only human. We’re all allowed to have cracks in our armour now and then.

• Practice small acts of self-care like taking a short walk.
• Write down three things you did right each day.
• Give yourself a minute to breathe before reacting to a perceived mistake.

Those alone might not fix every worry, but they set the stage for a kinder internal dialogue. Keep it simple. If it feels good, keep doing it.

Key Takeaways

• You’re not defined by tiny mistakes.
• A little self-compassion goes a long way.
• Sharing worries with friends helps you see them more clearly.
• Rehashing regrets wastes energy that could be spent creatively.
• Your dyslexic mind can flourish once you cut yourself some slack.

If you’ve been replaying past blunders or feeling that weight of self-criticism, I encourage you to tune into this episode. You’ll hear my experiences, along with straightforward ideas you can try today. It’s time to stop holding yourself back. Give it a listen and see how a change in perspective might unlock a fresh way of looking at your mistakes.

Don’t miss the full conversation in the podcast at the top. Your dyslexic mind will thank you.